Morne Patterson

  Understanding the impact of Donald Trump on US markets during his previous term provides valuable insights for the term ahead. In 2016, US markets witnessed the most incredible election response when the S&P 500 surged 1.1% on 9 November 2016 , following Donald Trump's initial victory. We saw the market rally to unprecedented heights, driven by expectations of substantial policy changes and economic reforms. During Trump’s previous presidential term, his impact on US stock markets was immediate and significant. The S&P 500 demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, with the index gaining approximately 19.4% in 2017 , the first calendar year of his presidency. Small-cap stocks showed particular strength, rising approximately 15.5% in the month following the election , as measured by the Russell 2000 index. Additionally, the 10-year Treasury yields jumped from 1.86% to 2.45% in the month following the election, reflecting heightened expectations of fiscal stimulus. We ha...

  News doesn't wait for prime-time TV or tomorrow's paper anymore. The largest longitudinal study reveals that Twitter breaks 59% of major news stories before traditional media catches up. This has altered the map of information consumption completely. Twitter's evolution goes beyond social networking since Elon Musk bought it and rebranded it to X. People now use Twitter's search as their go-to live news engine. They verify breaking stories and follow events as they happen. This radical alteration challenges mainstream media's role as the trusted source of truth. My breakdown shows how Twitter reshapes the news scene. We'll get into its verification methods and what this means for future information sharing. The examples where Twitter beats traditional media to the punch are the foundations of the analysis. This matters equally to news readers and creators. How Twitter Changed News Consumption The way news travels through social media platforms has chan...

  People quickly label someone as "far-right" when they express support for traditional values. This troubling trend has become more common lately. A simple defence of time-honoured principles often gets twisted into an extreme political position. Traditional values and their societal impact deserve deeper consideration. Core principles like honesty, responsibility, and respect have helped shape human civilisation for centuries and exceed political divisions. These fundamental principles stay relevant without any connection to specific ideologies. This piece explores why embracing traditional values does not automatically line you up with extreme political views. You can stay true to your principles while having meaningful conversations with people of different viewpoints. The goal is to bridge gaps and foster understanding between diverse perspectives. Understanding Traditional Values in Modern Context Societal values represent our shared beliefs that influence our interacti...

  Social media platforms now serve as the primary source of political news for people who have access to the internet. The media's influence on politics has seen a fundamental change in the last decade. Traditional news broadcasts have given way to a sophisticated network of social media interactions, viral content and real-time information sharing. Social media's power is evident everywhere. Markets react to tweets. Facebook posts determine election outcomes. TikTok videos drive political movements forward. This artcile breaks down how media shapes politics in today's digital world. We'll look at everything from social-first news coverage to traditional media's lasting effect on politics. The discussion also covers why social media affects political campaigns by a lot and what this means as democratic discourse evolves. The Evolution of Political Media Influence The media's influence on politics has transformed remarkably over the last century. This cha...